Gj. Sturgess et al., MODIFICATION OF COMBUSTOR STOICHIOMETRY DISTRIBUTION FOR REDUCED NOX EMISSION FROM AIRCRAFT ENGINES, Journal of engineering for gas turbines and power, 115(3), 1993, pp. 570-580
Measurements of the emissions from an experimental engine were analyze
d to construct a design chart for the reduction of oxides of nitrogen
(NO(x)) in conventional combustors. The design chart was used to recon
figure the stoichiometry distribution of the combustor of a production
engine so as to reduce NO(x) while holding the emissions of carbon mo
noxide, unburned hydrocarbons, and smoke well below existing regulatio
ns. Combustion section pressure loss and combustor outlet temperature
distributions were substantially unchanged. The modified design was re
fined with the aid of computational fluid dynamics calculations to opt
imize the emissions reduction. Worthwhile reductions in NO(x) were obt
ained with combustor modifications that are transparent to the engine
user.